We went today to the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock in the Old City of Jerusalem. The Golden Dome of the Rock is the 3rd holiest site in all of Islam behind Mecca and Medinah. It's said that Muhammed ascended into heaven from this place and that he trawled to the Al Aqsa Mosque upon his heavenly horse during the fabled night journey.

The Golden Dome of the Rock in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Click here to go back

At one point in the beginning of Islam, Muslins prayed in the direction of Jerusalem, but Muhammed changed that upon receiving a message from Allah and thus began the prayers being made facing Mecca.

There are of course (as always seems to be the case) politics involved in the construction of the Dome.

A begger at the Golden Dome of the Rock
Click here to go back

The "Caliph" in Jerusalem apparently wanted to discourage his people from making the pilgrimage to Mecca since his rule was being challenged and he hoped that he could create a new center for the ritual "Hajj" thereby keeping his subjects from hearing negative things being said about him.

Sorry, nice try...

Non-Muslims are no longer allowed inside the Al Aqsa Mosque since former Israeli prime Minister and Defense Minister Ariel Sharon led a march to the place a few years ago causing outrage in the Palestinian and Muslim communities.

Al Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Click here to go back

That type of provocation continues to this day if only on a smaller scale. Today I saw a family of Orthodox Jews walking through the Al Aqsa complex under police guard.

As appears to be so often the case Jewish Israelis can go nearly anywhere they want, while Palestinians cannot.

It seems that not only do the Israelis want to take over the land, but they also seem to feel the need to rub it in the face of the Palestinians at each and every turn.

We also went to Jericho today and met with the Governor who is also a member of the Palestinian Parliament. I'd like to tell you it was a fantastic and meaningful meeting, but it wasn't. The political leadership of both the Palestinians and Israelis leaves a lot to be desired.

Like our politicians at home they have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo and/or jockeying for power and position. The message I'm hearing from people in the street is that they want an end to this and the politicians aren't doing much to make that happen and it's doubtful that they ever will.

But I'll bring you something more hopeful in a little bit.

While in Jericho we saw the remains of perhaps the world's oldest city (some 10,000). The Mountain of Temptation where Jesus refused to submit to Satan and the Mountain ruins of Hishams Palace. The Palace is over 1200 years old and contains a fantastic mosaic.

The Mountain ruins of Hishams Palace.
Click here to go back

The Mountain ruins of Hishams Palace.
Click here to go back

We also made our way to the Dead Sea. The sea is quite some way below sea level and so the weather was quite warm. The water is 27% salt and there are tons of minerals in it. Take my word for it when I tell you that it doesn't feel like any water you've ever touched and after a while you really feel it on your skin and you sure don't want to get it in your eyes!

The Dead Sea, those buildings in the distance of the lower right image are in Jordan.
Click here to go back

Finally this evening we heard from two representatives of Bereaved families Supporting Reconciliation and Peace... an Israeli an a Palestinian... and they are the best hope for peace in this land where there is so little of it.

From Jerusalem
I'm Mike Thornton